That is sad news. Paul Kurtz was one of the first humanist authors I read and met in person. He was interesting, eloquent, polite — and fierce. I eventually heard him speak so often that I could not read anything he wrote without hearing his voice.

When my skeptics group recently decided to set a new mission course (partially inspired by A+, but we had been thinking about it a long time for many, many reasons), we found this video http://youtu.be/LF5uT5LrTAY which really is in sharp contrast to the narrow focus skepticism we wanted to move away from. My husband started reading Exuberant Skepticism which expands even further. I needed a reminder that not all of the big skeptics have the same view of what skepticism means, not to mention, I am not beholden to anyone’s definition or mission.

I know he fell into controversy regarding new atheism and CFI. I will have to re-listen to some podcasts of him talking about that. Regardless, a major trailblazer for us overall. His influence lives on.

Sorry to hear that. And as #7 points out, the last 24 hours or so have resulted in the losses of two huge voices for the progressive/humanist movement. I’m just happy I had the chance to briefly meet him in Buffalo last December during the CFI conference on the scientific study of religion as a natural phenomenon (with Dan Dennett as the keynote speaker). Kurtz led all of the attendees on a tour of the CFI Libary in Buffalo.

Goodbye, Paul.
Thanks for the insights.
Thanks even more for leaving those insights in writings and images so that they will have continuing availability to people at large.
My admiration of you is dwarfed by the understanding that you helped me acquire.
Well done, friend. Well done.
I’ll not forget you.

I only really knew of Paul Kurtz through his appearances on podcasts (also read a book where he debated WLC), and I found him to be a calm reasonable passionate advocate for humanism. 86 is a damn good innings, though, and his works will remain.